Sometimes I don't speak too bright but yet I know what I'm talking about

truffles, and chocolates, and caramels, oh my!

Valentine's Day was introduced to Japan by the candy companies. They marketed it as a day for women to give chocolate to the men in their lives. They gave small store bought giri choco (obligation chocolate) to co-workers and aquaintences, and honmei choco ( true feeling chocolate) to boyfriends, husbands, or to men they like as love confessions. The fun thing is that a month later on March 14, the Japanese celebrate White Day, which is like Valentine's part 2, when men reciprocate gifts to the women they received chocolate from. I never gave honmei chocolate while I was in Japan, but I did make chocolates that I brought into the office to share with all the teachers.  

scarce to be counted, filling the darkess with order and light

More than a year ago I was working on a smocking project.  I then abandoned it as I prepared (ever so slowly) to leave Japan.  I didn't finish it till I was back in the States, but it turned out quite nicely. Here's the finished product.